Automatic hand washing system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an automatic hand washing system for original and retrofit residential and commercial installation and use. The automatic hand washing system dispenses a predetermined amount of soap and water to effectively clean the hands of a user in a short, predetermined amount of time, ensuring that sanitary protocols are followed while conserving natural resources. In this respect, the automatic hand washing system represents an automatic hand washing protocol compliance control system. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system isolates the soap delivery path from the water delivery path until each is delivered to the hands of the user, preventing self-contamination, allowing the proper viscosity and flow of each to be maintained, eliminating the need for inefficient internal mixing mechanisms, etc. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system also identifies and certifies the soap source being utilized, such that the integrity of the hand washing process is ensured and a revenue stream for the manufacturer of the automatic hand washing system and/or the provider of the soap source is maintained.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/981,561 (Danny F. LINCOLN and Joseph M. AMLEY), filed on Oct. 22, 2007, and entitled “AUTOMATIC HAND WASHING SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTIAL USE,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an automatic hand washing system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic hand washing system for original and retrofit residential and commercial installation and use. The automatic hand washing system dispenses a predetermined amount of soap and water to effectively clean the hands of a user in a short, predetermined amount of time, ensuring that sanitary protocols are followed while conserving natural resources. In this respect, the automatic hand washing system represents an automatic hand washing protocol compliance control system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Everyone understands the importance of following sanitary protocols, such as washing one's hands after using the bathroom, before preparing food, before treating a patient, while working in a sterile environment, etc. In addition, washing one's hands is often just desirable, to remove dirt, debris, unwanted fluids, etc. Certain industries have even mandated specific procedures (i.e. protocols) for washing one's hands. Typically, these protocols call for people to wash their hands in a sink or basin using soap and water. The process of turning on a faucet, wetting one's hands, applying soap, lathering, and rinsing one's hands, however, can be ineffective, time consuming, and wasteful. In order to be effective, most protocols call for manual hand washing to be done vigorously for a specified period of time, a practice which is rarely followed. Bacteria is spread to faucet handles as the water is turned on, and then transferred back to one's freshly-washed hands when the water is tuned off, and the bacteria remains on the faucet handles for the next user. Quite simply, when the timing specified by most protocols is followed, manual hand washing also wastes water, with the water typically running for the duration of the process.

Various automatic hand washing systems have been developed and marketed in order to address these and other problems, with varying degrees of success. These automatic hand washing systems have incorporated various sensors, timed washing/drying cycles, nozzle configurations, chemical solutions, record keeping mechanisms, and the like. Most, however, are still prone to self and secondary contamination problems, most are still too bulky and cumbersome, most are still not well suited for retrofit applications, most are still too expensive, and most still fail to provide revenue streams for their manufacturers, eventually being taken off the market. Thus, there is still a need in the art for an improved automatic hand washing (i.e. soap and water delivery) system that encourages and ensures compliance with hand washing protocols.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an automatic hand washing system for original and retrofit residential and commercial installation and use. The automatic hand washing system dispenses a predetermined amount of soap and water to effectively clean the hands of a user in a short, predetermined amount of time, ensuring that sanitary protocols are followed while conserving natural resources. In this respect, the automatic hand washing system represents an automatic hand washing protocol compliance control system. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system isolates the soap delivery path from the water delivery path until each is delivered to the hands of the user, preventing self-contamination, allowing the proper viscosity and flow of each to be maintained, eliminating the need for inefficient internal mixing mechanisms, etc. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system also identifies and certifies the soap source being utilized, such that the integrity of the hand washing process is ensured and a revenue stream for the manufacturer of the automatic hand washing system and/or the provider of the soap source is maintained.

The automatic hand washing system is ideal for original and retrofit residential, food service (e.g. restaurant), healthcare (e.g. doctor's office and hospital), commercial (e.g. public restroom), transportation (e.g. bus, train, and aircraft) applications, among a multitude of other current and future applications. The automatic hand washing system may also be used in other timed washing applications not involving the hands of a user. All exemplary installation, use, and washing applications herein are intended to be non-limiting.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automatic hand washing system includes: at least one water inlet connected to a water supply and at least one soap inlet connected to a soap supply; a faucet assembly connected to the at least one water inlet via at least one water outlet and the at least one soap inlet via at least one soap outlet, wherein a water flow path is isolated from a soap flow path until an end of a nozzle termination is reached by the flow paths; one or more controllers operable for controlling the amount of and time during which both water and soap are dispensed through the faucet assembly; and one or more nozzles associated with the nozzle termination operable for dispensing water and soap from the faucet assembly to an object to be washed. The water flow path and the soap flow path are isolated, at least in part, by a dual-lumen fluid supply line. The automatic hand washing system also includes a proximity sensor associated with the faucet assembly operable for detecting the presence of the object to be washed and initiating the dispensing of the water and soap from the faucet assembly to the object to be washed. The automatic hand washing system further includes a soap supply including an identification and certification mechanism. The automatic hand washing system still further includes a soap supply identification and certification system operable for identifying and certifying the identification and certification mechanism of the soap supply. Optionally, the soap supply identification and certification system is one of radio frequency identification (RFID) and bar code-based, or based on an as-of-yet undetermined identification system. Optionally, the automatic hand washing system still further includes a record keeping system operable for identifying and recording the identity of the object being washed each time it is washed. The nozzle termination includes an inner annular wall concentrically disposed within an outer annular wall, the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall collectively defining an inner soap flow lumen and an outer water flow lumen, wherein the inner soap flow lumen is in fluid communication with the soap flow path and the outer water flow lumen is in fluid communication with the water flow path. The nozzle termination also includes a termination wall defining at least one opening substantially adjacent to the inner soap flow lumen and at least one opening substantially adjacent to the water flow lumen.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing an automatic hand washing system includes: providing at least one water inlet connected to a water supply and at least one soap inlet connected to a soap supply; providing a faucet assembly connected to the at least one water inlet via at least one water outlet and the at least one soap inlet via at least one soap outlet, wherein a water flow path is isolated from a soap flow path until an end of a nozzle termination is reached by the flow paths; providing one or more controllers operable for controlling the amount of and time during which both water and soap are dispensed through the faucet assembly; and providing one or more nozzles associated with the nozzle termination operable for dispensing water and soap from the faucet assembly to an object to be washed. The water flow path and the soap flow path are isolated, at least in part, by a dual-lumen fluid supply line. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system also includes providing a proximity sensor associated with the faucet assembly operable for detecting the presence of the object to be washed and initiating the dispensing of the water and soap from the faucet assembly to the object to be washed. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system further includes providing a soap supply including an identification and certification mechanism. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system still further includes providing a soap supply identification and certification system operable for identifying and certifying the identification and certification mechanism of the soap supply. Optionally, the soap supply identification and certification system is one of radio frequency identification (RFID) and bar code-based, or based on an as-of-yet undetermined identification system. Optionally, the method for providing the automatic hand washing system still further includes providing a record keeping system operable for identifying and recording the identity of the object being washed each time it is washed. The nozzle termination includes an inner annular wall concentrically disposed within an outer annular wall, the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall collectively defining an inner soap flow lumen and an outer water flow lumen, wherein the inner soap flow lumen is in fluid communication with the soap flow path and the outer water flow lumen is in fluid communication with the water flow path. The nozzle termination also includes a termination wall defining at least one opening substantially adjacent to the inner soap flow lumen and at least one opening substantially adjacent to the water flow lumen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components, as appropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the automatic hand washing system of the present invention, highlighting the associated housing, faucet, and connections;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the housing of FIG. 1 in an open configuration, highlighting the components disposed therein;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a faucet configuration that is utilized with the automatic hand washing system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a faucet nozzle configuration that is utilized with the automatic hand washing system of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective diagram illustrating the faucet nozzle configuration of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Again, in various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an automatic hand washing system for original and retrofit residential and commercial installation and use. The automatic hand washing system dispenses a predetermined amount of soap and water to effectively clean the hands of a user in a short, predetermined amount of time, ensuring that sanitary protocols are followed while conserving natural resources. In this respect, the automatic hand washing system represents an automatic hand washing protocol compliance control system. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system isolates the soap delivery path from the water delivery path until each is delivered to the hands of the user, preventing self-contamination, allowing the proper viscosity and flow of each to be maintained, eliminating the need for inefficient internal mixing mechanisms, etc. Advantageously, the automatic hand washing system also identifies and certifies the soap source being utilized, such that the integrity of the hand washing process is ensured and a revenue stream for the manufacturer of the automatic hand washing system and/or the provider of the soap source is maintained.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic hand washing system 10 includes two major components: a housing 12 and a faucet assembly 14. The housing 12 is selectively secured to a wall or other structure, or within a cabinet, typically beneath a sink or basin, via one or more attachment tabs 16 that are fixedly or removably attached to the housing 12 and one or more screws 17 or the like. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other attachment means may also be utilized, or, alternatively, the housing 12 may be freestanding. The housing contains, protects, and provides selective access to many components of the automatic hand washing system 10 and, accordingly, includes a removable cover 18 or the like that is secured via a plurality of screws 19 or the like. A plurality of housing connections are made, as described in greater detail herein below. The faucet assembly 14 is selectively secured on or adjacent to the sink or basin, or adjacent to a drain of some sort, via a conventional nut/washer system 20, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The faucet assembly 14 consists of a typical hollow body tube 22 including a bent or U-shaped head end 24 and a nozzle termination 26. The faucet assembly 14 also consists of a typical fluid supply attachment 28. The faucet assembly 14 further consists of a proximity sensor device 30 operable for sensing the proximity of the hands of a user or other object to be washed and triggering the washing process.

Connections to the housing 12 include a water supply inlet connection 32 (connected to an external water supply, likely unheated, but, optionally, heated or hot and/or cold), a water supply outlet connection 34, a soap supply inlet connection 36 (connected to an external soap supply, described in greater detail herein below), and a soap supply outlet connection 38. The water supply outlet connection 34 and soap supply outlet connection 38 both engage a three-way fitting 39 that engages a dual-lumen fluid supply line 40. This dual-lumen fluid supply line 40 may take a variety of forms, but, in general, isolates the water flow path from the soap flow path, while providing both in parallel. The dual-lumen fluid supply line 40 may take the form of a fluid tube within a fluid tube, two fluid tubes within a protective tube, a fluid tube next to a fluid tube, multiple fluid tubes around a central fluid tube, etc. Again, the dual-lumen fluid supply line 40 isolates the water flow path from the soap flow path until the end of the nozzle termination 26 is reached in the faucet assembly 14. Thus, the dual-lumen fluid supply line 40 is selectively coupled to the fluid supply attachment 28 of the faucet assembly 14, which is itself also a dual-lumen fluid delivery channel. This may be accomplished through either the manufacture of the faucet assembly 14 or by passing the dual-lumen fluid supply line through the faucet assembly 14 to the nozzle termination 26. Connections to the housing 12 also include a proximity sensor connection 42 (corrected to the proximity sensor device 30 of the faucet assembly 14) and a power supply connection 44 (connected to an external power source). The housing 12 further includes a multi-position selector switch 46 operable for turning the automatic hand washing system 10 on/off, as well as preparing the automatic hand washing system for use during/after assembly or during/after accepting a new water/soap supply. It should be noted that all connections may consist of fluid-tight threaded connections, pass-rough ports, electrical connections, etc., as appropriate. They may also consist of metal pipes, plastic tubes, electrical wires, etc., as appropriate.

Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 12 contains and protects a water supply system 50 that is connected to both the water supply inlet connection 32 and the water supply outlet connection 34 and operable for delivering properly heated water to the faucet assembly 14 and, eventually, the object to be washed. The water supply system 50 includes a solenoid valve, tubing, and appropriate couplers. The housing 12 also contains and protects a soap delivery pump 52, such as a solenoid pump or other fluid dispensing device, that is connected to both the soap supply inlet connection 36 and the soap supply outlet connection 38 and operable for delivering soap to the faucet assembly 14 and, eventually, the object to be washed. Again, the water supply system 50 and the soap delivery pump 52 maintain the isolation of the soap flow path from the water flow path. The housing 12 further contains and protects a master controller 54, a proximity sensor controller 56, a power supply 58, and related circuitry 60 collectively operable for allowing the automatic hand washing system 10 to recognize when an object to be washed is adjacent to the faucet assembly 14, start the flow of water and soap, each for a predetermined period of time (approximately 2.5 cc of soap in 0.3 seconds, approximately 10 seconds of water washing time, and approximately 10 seconds of water rinsing time, consuming less that 500 ml of water), and stop the flow of water and soap. These components may be separate components, or they may be integrated components. The housing 12 still further contains and protects a soap supply identification and certification system 62 operable for identifying and certifying the soap source being utilized, such that the integrity of the hand washing process is ensured and a revenue stream for the manufacturer of the automatic hand washing system 10 and/or the provider of the soap source is maintained. This soap supply identification and certification system 62 may consist of a radio frequency identification (RFID), bar code, or other system that is operable for identifying and certifying a soap supply on a non-line of sight or line of sight basis. In the non-line of sight case, the soap supply is outfitted with an RFID tag or the like that may be detected by the soap supply identification and certification system 62 on a proximity basis. In the line of sight case, the housing 12 comprises a view port and the soap supply is outfitted with bar code or the like that may be detected by the soap supply identification and certification system 62 on a visual recognition basis. In either case, the soap supply is provided with a cap comprising an outlet port and a vent port, such that soap may be fed into the automatic hand washing system 10. Optionally, the housing 12 still further contains and protects a record keeping system 64, operating by identification (ID) code, RFID, bar code, voice recognition, retinal scan, or the like, that identifies and records the identity of a user washing his or her hands each time they are washed, or identifies and records the identity of an object being washed each time it is washed. Optionally, the housing 12 still further contains and protects an inline water heating device (not illustrated).

Referring to FIG. 3, in one exemplary embodiment, the hollow body tube 22 of the faucet assembly 14 forms the outside fluid tube 72 of a dual-lumen faucet assembly 70, while the soap supply outlet connection 38 forms the inside fluid tube 74 of the dual-lumen faucet assembly 70. The water supply outlet connection 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2) engages and ends at its interface with the hollow body tube 22, while the soap supply outlet connection 38 engages and ends at its interface with the nozzle termination 26. Again, the dual-lumen faucet assembly 70 isolates the water flow path from the soap flow path until the water and soap are dispensed to the object to be washed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one exemplary embodiment, the nozzle termination 26 consists of an annular dual-lumen structure and includes an inner annular wall 80 that is concentrically disposed within an outer annular wall 82. Collectively, the inner annular wall 80 and outer annular wall 82 define an inner soap flow lumen 84 and an outer water flow lumen 86, which are isolated from one another. Optionally, the outer annular wall 82 is internally threaded and is selectively screwed onto corresponding external threads associated with the head end 24 (FIGS. 1-3) of the dual-lumen faucet assembly 70 (FIG. 3). The soap supply outlet connection 38 (FIGS. 1-3) fittingly and sealingly engages the inner annular wall 80. The termination wall 88 of the nozzle termination 26 includes a plurality of concentrically disposed nozzles or holes 90, or other arrangement of fluid flow passages, such that water is selectively sprayed from the nozzle termination 26. The termination wall 88 of the nozzle termination 26 also includes a centrally disposed nozzle or hole 92, or other arrangement of fluid flow passages, such that soap is selectively sprayed from the nozzle termination 26. In operation, soap is first sprayed from the centrally disposed nozzle 92 in a substantially linear pattern and then water is sprayed from the concentrically disposed holes 90 in a substantially conical pattern. These actions are algorithmically timed, such that predetermined amounts of soap and water are mixed/present on the object to be washed at predetermined times.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. An automatic hand washing system, comprising: at least one water inlet connected to a water supply and at least one soap inlet connected to a soap supply; a faucet assembly connected to the at least one water inlet via at least one water outlet and the at least one soap inlet via at least one soap outlet, wherein a water flow path is isolated from a soap flow path until an end of a nozzle termination is reached by the flow paths; one or more controllers operable for controlling the amount of and time during which both water and soap are dispensed through the faucet assembly; and one or more nozzles associated with the nozzle termination operable for dispensing water and soap from the faucet assembly to an object to be washed.
 2. The automatic hand washing system of claim 1, wherein the water flow path and the soap flow path are isolated, at least in part, by a dual-lumen fluid supply line.
 3. The automatic hand washing system of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor associated with the faucet assembly operable for detecting the presence of the object to be washed and initiating the dispensing of the water and soap from the faucet assembly to the object to be washed.
 4. The automatic hand washing system of claim 1, further comprising a soap supply comprising an identification and certification mechanism.
 5. The automatic hand washing system of claim 4, further comprising a soap supply identification and certification system operable for identifying and certifying the identification and certification mechanism of the soap supply.
 6. The automatic hand washing system of claim 5, wherein the soap supply identification and certification system is one of radio frequency identification (RFID) and bar code-based.
 7. The automatic hand washing system of claim 1, further comprising a record keeping system operable for identifying and recording the identity of the object being washed each time it is washed.
 8. The automatic hand washing system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle termination comprises an inner annular wall concentrically disposed within an outer annular wall, the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall collectively defining an inner soap flow lumen and an outer water flow lumen, wherein the inner soap flow lumen is in fluid communication with the soap flow path and the outer water flow lumen is in fluid communication with the water flow path.
 9. The automatic hand washing system of claim 8, wherein the nozzle termination further comprises a termination wall defining at least one opening substantially adjacent to the inner soap flow lumen and at least one opening substantially adjacent to the water flow lumen.
 10. A method for providing an automatic hand washing system, comprising: providing at least one water inlet connected to a water supply and at least one soap inlet connected to a soap supply; providing a faucet assembly connected to the at least one water inlet via at least one water outlet and the at least one soap inlet via at least one soap outlet, wherein a water flow path is isolated from a soap flow path until an end of a nozzle termination is reached by the flow paths; providing one or more controllers operable for controlling the amount of and time during which both water and soap are dispensed through the faucet assembly; and providing one or more nozzles associated with the nozzle termination operable for dispensing water and soap from the faucet assembly to an object to be washed.
 11. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 10, wherein the water flow path and the soap flow path are isolated, at least in part, by a dual-lumen fluid supply line.
 12. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 10, further comprising providing a proximity sensor associated with the faucet assembly operable for detecting the presence of the object to be washed and initiating the dispensing of the water and soap from the faucet assembly to the object to be washed.
 13. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 10, further comprising providing a soap supply comprising an identification and certification mechanism.
 14. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 13, further comprising providing a soap supply identification and certification system operable for identifying and certifying the identification and certification mechanism of the soap supply.
 15. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 14, wherein the soap supply identification and certification system is one of radio frequency identification (RFID) and bar code-based.
 16. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 10, further comprising providing a record keeping system operable for identifying and recording the identity of the object being washed each time it is washed.
 17. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 10, wherein the nozzle termination comprises an inner annular wall concentrically disposed within an outer annular wall, the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall collectively defining an inner soap flow lumen and an outer water flow lumen, wherein the inner soap flow lumen is in fluid communication with the soap flow path and the outer water flow lumen is in fluid communication with the water flow path.
 18. The method for providing the automatic hand washing system of claim 17, wherein the nozzle termination further comprises a termination wall defining at least one opening substantially adjacent to the inner soap flow lumen and at least one opening substantially adjacent to the water flow lumen. 